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Weeks don't come much bigger than this in the PlayStation Nation, with headlines hitting with frightening frequency over the past seven days. Despite being busy, though, it's all been a bit disappointing; October's big PlayStation Plus update looks light, PlayStation 4 firmware update v3.00 proved to be a letdown, and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 5 is riddled with bugs. Better luck next time?

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Reviews

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 5 - 5/10

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 5 had the potential to be awesome. Instead, we're left with a game that's solid but is buried beneath so many issues that it feels like it's still in beta. If you've never been a fan of the franchise, then this one certainly won't win you over. However, die-hard fans yearning for some Pro Skater action will find that, despite all of its problems, there's still some enjoyment to be had here – even if it should have been so much more.

FIFA 16 - 8/10

FIFA 16's rebalanced gameplay makes it the most realistic entry in the series to date, but potentially, that won't sit well with those who prefer the fast, constant, end-to-end thrills of previous instalments. This year's game still plays incredibly well as a whole, though, and by forcing you to rely more on the tactical aspects of the sport, it arguably offers up a more rewarding experience. With so much content on offer, both old and new, alongside its many accessibility options, it's still hard not to recommend FIFA to footy fans of all ages and skill levels.

Other Reviews

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Features

Soapbox: From Pretender to Major Player - Remembering PlayStation's Rise from the Frontlines

As we all know, the PlayStation is 20 years old this week – at least in Europe. Rather than make this a study in retrospect of what truly happened from that glorious month of September 1995 onwards, I've been asked to plunder my own brain for thoughts on the impact made by PlayStation in the UK.

Opinion: PS4 Firmware Update 3.00 Is One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

Sony often gets criticised for being slow to update its console in comparison to the competition, but the reality is that the PlayStation 4 launched in a much better place than people give it credit for. There are obvious tweaks that still need to be made to the user interface to improve it – folders, friends notifications, and so forth – but even on day one the device was slick, snappy, and well designed. However, there's a worry with firmware update v3.00 that rather than iterating upon what it's already got, the manufacturer's starting to mess things up.

Other Features

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News

October's PlayStation Plus Lineup Is Going to P*** People Off

Oh no! Oh no! Batten down the hatches, adopt the foetal position, and keep out of every PlayStation owner's way – because next month's PlayStation Plus update really is a bad one. There's been plenty of criticism pointed at Sony's service over the past 18 months or so, but we've always felt that there have been redeeming qualities to the selections. This time, though, we're struggling to find one.

PS4 Communities Are Already Walking on the Wild Side

We're quite fond of the PlayStation 4's new Communities feature – you can find out how to join the Push Square page through here – but Sony might have known that it wouldn't take long for the addition to be, ahem, corrupted. While there are plenty of legit groups built around forums, favourite bands, and football teams – we also happened upon a few less savoury gatherings while playing around with the fresh firmware update overnight.

Microsoft Just Bought the Tech Powering a Ton of PS4 Games

We're going to assume that the majority of you reading this article have heard of Havok. Even if you don't know what the mysterious technology does, its logo has appeared during the boot sequence of so many titles that we'd be shocked if you haven't seen it before. In the simplest of terms, the engine essentially powers the physics in the majority of games – and it's just been acquired by Microsoft for an undisclosed fee.

What's Hideo Kojima Doing with PS4 Maker Mark Cerny?

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is finished, and if you believe industry gossip, series creator Hideo Kojima is soon to be a free agent. This photograph of the legend posing with PlayStation 4 architect Mark Cerny was certain to draw attention, then. The picture was posted on Twitter earlier today, though the meeting does seem pretty informal.

Sony Really Needs to Stop Teasing Crash Bandicoot's Return

Look at that cake. Just look at the bloody thing. Celebrating PlayStation's 20th anniversary in Europe, Sony's had the delightful desert whipped up in celebration - but did it really have to sit Crash Bandicoot on top of the edible consoles?

Other Noteworthy News

Video of the Week

Video: Top 4 PlayStation Games - September 2015

Nothing hacks this video editor off more than preparing for a Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain victory – only for Tearaway: Unfolded to come out of nowhere with its cardboard cuteness and snatch the Game of the Month win. Fortunately, your humble host improvised – stay tuned for footage of Push Square's very own paper-based diorama. It's a humdinger.